Help Needed on Saturday: We will require road marshals and at least two others to help at the start/finish. Please advise if you can help.

New Rules

To meet new AVCC rules, the club will be required to meet the following conditions for racing;

·Helmets – All members must
wear helmets that meet Australian Standards. Competitors must present
their helmet for inspection prior to the race to confirm it has one of
the Australian Standards approval labels (shown below) and is in good
condition.

·Bikes – Bikes must be roadworthy. Bikes will be checked for independent front and rear brakes and fitted with handlebar plugs.

·Racing Jerseys must cover upper arms and shoulders.

Racing Next Week

Due to lack of Road Approvals, the planned race at Bungendore on the 12th May has been replaced by a Criterium at Stromlo.

Update on Rob Diamond

Club President, Rob Diamond, unfortunately had a crash last week;

Well
I managed to do a pretty good job of smashing myself up. I went down in
the Bakery ride Saturday a week back. I hoped I was just badly bruised
but it turned out I had fractured my hip. Fortunately nothing was badly
misplaced so with some very clever keyhole surgery and a few pins I am
now recovering nicely. Alas I have to keep all weight off the leg for
another 5 weeks so it will be a while before I am back on the bike. Many
thanks to my friends for their care till the ambulance turned up.
Pleased to say the bike fared better than I did. The only good news last
week was my new Dolan frame finally arrived.

Hope to see you back soon Rob.

Uriarra Race Report

A
lovely day saw 89 riders take the field at Uriarra on Saturday.
Grades were well represented as only a light wind and a few motor bikes
blew across the course.

Ian
Downing pounced (as only he can) in the last 100 metres beating Paul
Scherl and Greg Burghart in A grade. John Thorn proved to strong for the
other B graders eclipsing Marc Vroomans and Kevin Woods. C grade was
taken out by a fearless Gordon McMenemy just ahead of a fine form Ross
Robinson and Steve Schewenke. In D grade Peter Harding made it look
easy (I’m sure it wasn’t) coming in ahead of Dale Teddy and Bob Harlow.
An enormous E grade of 17 (the E Grade Massive) seemed to fly apart at
the seams on the second lap and saw Brian Chugg win ahead of Greg Shaw
and Andrew Douglas. F grade looked imposing with 16 riders with many
riders putting in fine performances. Ian Shaw taking first in front of
Mike Corke and Malcolm Tew. Polly Templeton took on G grade and won
convincingly. 3 tandems took to the course. Don and Rosemary duked it
out against Brandie and Kerrie and won in a tough race, with John and
Cameron coming in a creditable third.

I’d also like to report on the efforts made by fellow and fellowette (is that a word?) Vets to run the race itself.

The
amount of behind the scenes activity prior to the race start and the
number of people involved is considerable. The Vets have a number of
stalwarts that manage everything from uniforms to race course approvals,
time keeping to lollipop holding. This organization seems to come
together seamlessly and effortlessly on the day, but it’s not without a
great deal of hard work. Did you know for instance that race approvals
have to be submitted several months in advance and once approval is
given the race route and time cant be changed.

Anyway
many thanks to Henry, Grahame, Bill, Simone, Mick, Baden, Chris and
James who kept me sane, put up with my jokes and made the race a success
on the day.

From the Handicapper’s Desk

·Bob Miller F to G (Bob must provide 2012 registration form before being allowed to race).

·Adrian Pridden F to G

ACT Veterans Member Profile

In our next member profile we look at we look at Mike Hayes;

How long have you been a member of ACT Vets?

I
have been a member of the Vets since October 1994. Prior to that, I
raced for one year in the Canberra Cycling Club and was so glad to get
away from racing against the young guns of that club. They didn’t talk
and I could sense that they thought I should be returned to the fossil
dig from whence I came. Unfortunately they were correct (cheeky brats).

What is your favourite course in the ACT Vets racing calendar and why?

It
used to be every course that had hills, hills and more hills. Nowadays
(and especially since 2002) it is any course that doesn’t move the
spirit level bubble from its central location. However, Gunning holds a
special interest.

What Grade did you start in with the Vets?

I
started in A grade can you believe. I was in the process of
negotiating a lower grade when the then President (Keith Davis) came
racing over and said to the official “put this bloke in A grade”. After
feelings of horror and intimidation, I finally composed myself and was
able to keep up with the majority of the A graders, so I then spent the
next few years circulating with them (and even won some races). Don’t
ask me how but it did happen. Feeling pity on other riders is a
wonderful thing don’t you think, especially when you are the recipient.
It’s been a downhill ride through the grades ever since.

How long have you been cycling?

I
have been cycling pretty near all my life. Commuting to school and
then work. I remember with fondness racing bikes with some mates around
the cattle sale yards of Wodonga, slipping and sliding in the cow crap
and getting splinters from cannoning into the wooden railings. Ah, the
smell of cow crap in the morning – sure beats napalm.

What got you interested in cycling?

My
interest in racing bikes as an adult came from suffering too many
running injuries through the 80’s. Marathons have a tendency to wreak
havoc on the leg joints and I was not immune. However, having said
that, falling off the bike on several occasions hurt more than the
niggling running injuries.

What was your most memorable ride?

In
respect of club racing, it had to be the win I had in the club
championships of 2000 where I beat Richard Norris and Jim Thompson in
the 50 to 54 category. The course was Gunning so that’s why it has
special interest to me as a course. Outside of racing, it’s my two
Simpson Desert crossings in 1995 and 1998 where I was able to keep the
“sweep” vehicle at bay for each of the 5 days.

What is/was your favourite bike?

I
haven’t had many bikes, but my favourite is the current black Kestrel.
Ah, what a sleek, fast machine she was back in 1998 – bit dated now but
then so am I. I actually bought it in Adelaide, but prior to that I
used to ogle over an exact replica at a cycle store in Mitchell where
it’s a wonder I wasn’t tossed out of the store on my ear each weekend as
I manhandled and salivated all over their Kestrel without any intention
of buying.

Where do you work?

I
don’t work. I’m a bludger, living off you tax payers. So keep working
hard because I could do with a bit more cash. However, I do deliver
meals on wheels each week. They actually look quite good but probably
taste like?/:”.

How do you find the time to train?

I have plenty of time to train since retirement but I actually do very little now.

Do you have a special training regime?

Prior
to 2002 my training regime consisted of plenty of interval rides out on
the Barton highway and also through the hills of the cotter/Uriarra.
Post 2002 my training consists of a gentle ride to a predetermined cafe
where I train hard on my bacon and eggs consumption. You will be
pleased to know that I am improving immensely with this latest training
regime. My waistline proves it.

What does your family think of your cycling?

Who
cares, it’s my life, however the kids do support it. I do think that
the ex missus ran away because she was jealous of my sleek, fast, smooth
lined, sexy Kestrel, but I can’t confirm that.

An interesting fact about yourself;

The
most interesting thing about me is that I’m totally uninteresting.
Soon after reading this you will be saying “who is Mike Hayes”.

Here’s Mike on top of Alpe d Huez in 2006;

Race Referees

The
other change required by the AVCC is that all future racing must be
conducted by club registered Race Referees. The race committee is asking
for volunteers to take on the role. The Referee should be knowledgeable
in the rules of the AVCC, and the club, and be willing to enforce those
rules to the benefit of the club and its members.

These
members will be put on a rotating roster to undertake their duties
throughout the year, with consideration given to obligations. Each
referee will receive their membership for the year that they are roster
at the clubs expense.

As everyone
has already joined for this year we will wave all future race fees for
the rest of the year for all this years rostered referees in lieu. The
need for volunteers is a matter of urgency and we must be able to meet
this requirement before the start of the winter season when the new
policy will take effect.

The
important question to be asked is what happens if we don’t get the
minimum number of referees. The race committee will be forced to
reassess the calendar and reduce the number of races.